ROCKVILLE, Md. — A Rockville man will serve two life sentences for breaking into his neighbors’ home and fatally stabbing the couple who lived there in 2015.
Montgomery County Circuit Judge John Debelius ruled that Scott Tomaszewski, 32, would serve the sentences consecutively. Tomaszewski will have the opportunity for parole in the death of Julianne Vilardo, known as Jodie, but no chance of parole for the death of Richard Vilardo – effectively ensuring that Tomaszewski will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Before announcing the sentence on Tuesday, Debelius said he never heard a motive for what he described as a “horrific” crime.
The couple’s family hugged upon hearing the judge’s ruling.
“At least the monster that created this tragedy will never see the light of day, he’ll die in prison,” said the Vilardos’ son Andy.
Tomaszewski pleaded guilty in September to first-degree murder charges for the Vildaros’ killing.
But at his sentencing, his defense team outlined Tomaszewski’s mental health struggles. And he apologized to the Vilardo family for their loss.
Dick and Jodie Vilardo were stabbed to death inside their home the morning of Mother’s Day and were found by their adult children after they missed the family’s planned brunch. Court documents and prosecutors described a brutal struggle: both Vilardos had defensive wounds; Dick Vilardo suffered dozens of stabbing and cutting wounds; and Julianne Vilardo’s neck was slashed, cutting into her spinal cord and spinal column.
Investigators have said that Tomaszewski wore a mask and gloves and entered the home without any shoes. After the attack, he helped himself to a drink from the couple’s refrigerator and then left on an Alaskan cruise with his parents.
He was arrested in Juneau and was found with a bloody knife and money.
Before sentencing, Tomaszewski offered a lengthy letter to the judge that he misunderstood his plea deal, but said he was satisfied with moving forward with sentencing.
Prosecutors had asked for a life sentence without parole — the maximum sentence allowed under Maryland law.
